On Thursday afternoon, a crew from the Metropolitan Sewer District began excavating the backyard of a vacant house in Riverside off River Road following months of issues with a private sewer pipe.

MSD began work Thursday, taking steps to stop raw sewage from flowing down the hillside in the Fithian Street area.

In October, the Board of Health declared a public health emergency following multiple complaints about sewage surfacing in a vacant lot in the 3600 block of Fithian Street. Complaints began over the summer, according to the board.

A board investigation found that the privately owned sewer line likely broken or clogged, causing sewage to run over Fithian Street and into the backyard of the vacant property. City officials said the sewage "saturates into the ground of a vacant property just beyond the road."

The 8-inch-diameter pipe carries wastewater from five homes on Hillside Avenue and connects to an MSD line. The Board said the damaged sewer pipe is the responsibility of five properties on Hillside Avenue but after the property owners failed to abate the problem, a public health emergency was declared.

“Declaring a public health emergency allows the MSD to make necessary repairs to abate the hazardous condition. The cost of the repairs will be placed as a lien on the properties,” City officials said in a statement to The Enquirer.

Officials said they do not know the cost of repairs but will try to pinpoint the compromised area of the pipe and clean up, which should keep costs down for residents.

"Plumbing lines will fail from time to time. Regular inspections by a professional plumber are recommended to keep sewer lines in good working condition and free of clogs and breaks," officials said. "If you are looking at purchasing a new property, it is also recommended that you contact MSD to determine whether the sewer serving the property is public or private."